Blackhawk hangs on for 23-21 triumph
Chance Liptak threw three touchdown passes to lead Blackhawk to a 23-21 win against visiting West Mifflin Friday night in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs. It’s the first playoff victory for Blackhawk since 2008.
Liptak, who entered the game with only eight touchdown passes, completed 7 of 11 passes for 185 yards. All three touchdown passes came in the second quarter. The first was to Ryan Heckathorn and covered 53 yards. The second was a 21-yard scoring pass to James Darno. Liptak also connected with Jarrett Wright on a 49-yarder.
Blackhawk (10-1) added its final score on a 25-yard field goal by Ethan Burawa in the third quarter.
West Mifflin (5-6) was led by Parrish Parker, who rushed for 246 yards on 28 carries and scored on runs of 28 and 34 yards in the third quarter. The Titans also scored on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Matt Schuster to Bryant Johnson.
Parker finished the season with 1,535 yards on 208 carries.
Blackhawk will face three-time defending champion Thomas Jefferson next week in the semifinals.
More Class 4A
Thomas Jefferson 49, New Castle 16: The top-ranked Jaguars (10-0) advanced to the WPIAL semifinals for the 19th time in the past 21 years. Dan Deabner scored four touchdowns for the Jaguars, including three on passes from Shane Stump that covered 54, 22 and 10 yards. Deabner also scored on a 73-yard punt return. Stump completed 11 of 12 passes for 163 yards and four touchdowns. Deabner totaled six catches for 110 yards. Max Shaw added 224 yards on 16 carries and scored on runs of 29 and 20 for the Jaguars.
South Fayette 42, Greensburg Salem 6: The Lions (10-1) advanced to the WPIAL semifinals for the sixth time in the past seven years with this convincing win against the visiting Golden Lions (4-7). Ryan Kokoski scored three times for South Fayette on two 5-yard touchdown catches from Jamie Diven and a 55-yard interception return. Diven also connected with Nolan Lutz on a 18-yard scoring pass and ran 9 yards for another touchdown. South Fayette also scored on an 84-yard touchdown run by Andrew Franklin, who led all rushers with 159 yards on nine carries. Greensburg Salem’s only points came on a 4-yard run by Alexander Briggs in the fourth quarter. South Fayette had 291 yards in total offense, while limiting Greensburg Salem to 115 yards. South Fayette will face Belle Vernon in the semifinals.
Belle Vernon 49, Beaver 11: Backup quarterback Nolan Labuda threw for two touchdowns, caught a touchdown pass, and ran for three more touchdowns to lead the Leopards (9-1) to a first-round victory against the Bobcats (7-4). Labuda completed 9 of 12 passes for 173 yards and connected with Anthony Bertram and Hunter Ruokonen on touchdown passes. Labuda also scored on runs of 1, 3 and 5 yards. The Leopards’ Mason Pascoe rushed for 130 yards on 22 carries.
Class 3A
Aliquippa 40, Freeport 17: The-top seeded Quips (10-1) reached the semifinals for the 12th consecutive year after blowing out the visiting Yellow Jackets (5-5). Avante McKenzie scored five times for Aliquippa on runs of 1, 7, 19, 9 and 25 yards. Quips quarterback Eli Kosanovich completed 15 of 23 passes for 207 yards. Aliquippa also scored on a 49-yard run by Vernon Redd. Freeport’s Conor Selinger scored twice on two 5-yard runs. Aliquippa will face Beaver Falls in the semifinals.
Derry 46, Central Valley 0: The Trojans (10-1) advanced to the semifinals for the second time in the past three years by shutting out the Warriors (5-6). Derry will face North Catholic in the semifinals next week.
Beaver Falls 33, Elizabeth Forward 14: Daylin Brickner ran for two touchdowns and threw for another as the Tigers (9-2) dominated the visiting Warriors (8-2). Brickner completed 6 of 10 passes for 113 yards and connected with Dante Collins on a 26yard scoring pass. He also scored on runs of 9 and 2 yards. Beaver Falls also scored on a 65-yard interception return by Brice Anderson and a 2-yard run by Josh Hough. Elizabeth Forward scored on a 1-yard sneak by Zachary Benedek and a 42-yard pass from Benedek to Nathan Alberts. Benedek rushed for 148 yards on 22 carries.